You might have heard the term “tofer” and “toot” before. If you don’t know them, they are both used to refer to one single dish. So, what exactly is toto, and how is it different from butter?
Short for toto biloba, toto is made from a variety of seeds native to the Asiatic countries: Japan, Korea and China. Butter, on the other hand, comes from the butterfat that collects in the fat beneath the butter’s surface when it is not being used. To give a taste example, the Japanese sometimes use real butter for flavoring while others use toasted shortening. Both have their own characteristics and differences. If you were to compare the two, you would find that toto butter is lighter and less saturated, whereas butter is richer and more saturated. So, if you are looking for a lighter flavor, the toto would be the ideal choice.
The toto can be further broken down into two groups: natural and artificial. Natural toto contains no additives or preservatives, whereas artificial toto contains a wide range of artificial preservatives, colors and aroma-making materials. Artificial toto is often called processed or commercial toto. If you are a health buff, artificial toto is definitely not the best choice. The fats that are used in toto are derived from animal fats; this causes a number of health problems such as high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes.
One of the most common culinary uses of todo is for the preparation of sushi. You can make food a part of the sushi course at the dining establishments specializing in Japanese food. Although todo has been around in Japan for many years, many chefs find ways to enhance the dish, making todo more exciting and enjoyable for the diner. Most Japanese restaurants have special sizzling strips on the table where the chefs lay down several sheets of good butter and do the flavoring.
Although two sheets contain a great deal of fat, it may be possible to substitute vegetable oil for the butter. Vegetable oil may be a better option because it is low in saturated fats. Using vegetable oil instead of butter when making food may also help to reduce the fat content, although two sheets are usually filled with batter anyway, so reducing the fat content may not help much. Butter is still the best alternative to grease in Japanese dishes.
To prepare todo sheets, which may include sushi, you will need to mix the ingredients together and form them into a sheet. You may want to cut the sheets into the desired size before pouring the mixture into a buttered pan or chopping board. Once the todo has cooled, you can put it into a preheated oven or microwave. To ensure even cooking, baste the top edge of each sheet with vegetable oil or margarine. As you make these tasty treats, you will be delighted at how easy it is to prepare a good dish!